Transportable, surface-mounting system for an auto-injection case

ABSTRACT

A transportable, surface-mounting system for an auto-injection case. The storage system includes a mounting device for attaching to the auto-injection case. A first side of the mounting device conforms to a shape of the auto-injection case, and a second side of the mounting device is substantially flat, thereby enabling the mounting device to mount on a flat surface. The second side of the mounting device includes, preferably, a reusable attaching mechanism such as a magnet, adhesive strip, or suction device that attaches the mounting device including the attached auto-injection case to the flat surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to storage systems forauto-injection devices, and more particularly to transportable,surface-mounting storage systems for auto-injection cases that can betemporarily fixed and easily viewable at desired locations and are stillcapable convenient transportation.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many individuals are highly allergic to commonly encountered substances.Examples of common substances, which are also common allergens, includea variety of commonly encountered foods, latex, and venom from beestings. Because these and other sources of allergy are prevalent ineveryday life, one who is allergic to such a substance cannot predictwhen they may come in contact with it and have an allergic reaction.When reactions do occur, they can be severe (a condition called“anaphylaxis”); without immediate treatment, anaphylaxis is potentiallylife threatening. As a result, many people with known allergies musthave medication readily available at all times to treat a reaction.

In order to treat anaphylaxis, many allergy sufferers utilize a devicethat enables them to quickly administer an appropriate medication, suchas epinephrine. These devices are commonly referred to as“auto-injection devices” or “auto-injectors”, and are exemplified by theinjector sold by DEY L.P., under EpiPen®. Auto-injection devicesgenerally contain one or two doses of epinephrine and include aretractable needle for quickly injecting the medication intramuscularly.In most cases, it is recommended that allergy sufferers have anauto-injection device readily available at all times.

There are several difficulties associated with the process of constantlycarrying an auto-injection device. First, because auto-injection devicesinclude an injection needle and various movable parts, they arerelatively fragile and in need of protection from mechanical forces.Second, users must guard against exposing epinephrine to temperatureextremes, which can cause it to deteriorate. Third, constantly carryingepinephrine can increase its exposure to UV light, to which it issensitive. Specifically, epinephrine will oxidize under UV light,turning brown in the process and becoming ineffective. For this reason,most auto-injection devices contain a window through which the color ofthe contained epinephrine can be visually inspected.

In response to the above issues, several protective cases have beendeveloped for carrying an auto-injection device while shielding it fromboth mechanical forces and UV radiation. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,595,362 to Penney and U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,827 to Odom. Both patentsdisclose a case that surrounds and completely encloses an auto-injectiondevice, protecting the device from damage and completely shielding itfrom light. Also, both types of cases are of appropriate size to beeasily carried by a user, for example, in a typical pants pocket.

While the prior art protective cases for auto-injection devices, such asthose disclosed by Odom and Penney, have alleviated some of the problemsassociated with the process of constantly carrying such a device, otherdifficulties persist. For example, because the prior art protectivecases are relatively small and meant to travel with the device, they canbe easily misplaced. In places visited regularly, such as a home oroffice, such cases are often stored out of view, in pockets or drawers,making them easily forgotten when traveling and difficult to locate intimes of urgent need. This latter issue is highlighted in situationswhere the device user, who is often most capable of locating the device,is suffering an anaphylactic reaction and unable either to self-medicateor to describe the device location. In addition, the cases in the priorart replace the existing carrying case thereby concealing therecognizable device. This potentially delays the ability of a bystanderto locate the device for individuals undergoing a reaction, and unableto communicate because of age or the reaction itself.

Aside from the above, special problems are encountered when using anauto-injection device in connection with an allergy-suffering child.While many allergy sufferers carry and use auto-injection devicesthemselves, young children are not capable of such self-medication.Older children, while potentially capable of operating an auto-injector,are likely to damage, misuse, lose, or forget to carry the device. Forthese reasons, auto-injection devices that are being used to treat childallergies are typically carried by an adult “administrator” (e.g., aparent, teacher, camp counselor, babysitter, etc.). This practiceeliminates issues associated with children carrying auto-injectors;however, it also means that the auto-injection device is not keptimmediately with the allergy sufferer, increasing the likelihood that anallergic reaction will occur outside the presence of the device. Thereis also a risk of forgetting to take an auto-injector when leaving ahouse. Further, even at home, school, day care center, camp or the like,an attending adult may be unable to find an auto-injection device orrecognize the case holding the device. These issues are not addressed bythe above-described prior art protective cases.

More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 7,434,686 to Prindle addressed some ofthese problems by creating a storage system for auto-injection devicesthat holds the devices at a location where anaphylaxis is more likely tooccur or where an allergy sufferer is frequently found. Such a systemcould be used in place of, or in addition to, having each individualsufferer carry a device everywhere with him/her, and would hold devicesready at critical locations, such as a home or office, restaurants,malls, and schools.

While the prior art storage systems for auto-injection devices, such asthat disclosed by Prindle, have alleviated some of the problemsassociated with each individual sufferer having to carry a deviceeverywhere with him/her, and having devices ready at critical locations,such as a home or office, restaurants, malls, and schools, otherdifficulties persist. For example, the storage system in Prindlemaintains the auto-injection device in a fixed location andsubstantially conceals the auto-injection device. Therefore, theconvenience for allergy sufferers to be able to carry the auto-injectiondevice with them is lost in Prindle. This then requires sufferers topurchase many more auto-injection devices in order to be protected whenmoving away from where the storage system of Prindle is fixed. Prindlealso substantially conceals the auto-injection device, even thoughauto-injection devices are fixed at a location where anaphylaxis is morelikely to occur or where an allergy sufferer is frequently found, thiscreates the potential for an allergy sufferer or care provider to noteven recognize that an auto-injection device is present. The storageunit could also potentially delay access to the auto-injection device ifan administrator is not familiar with its proper use or if the openingdevice malfunctions. Further, in locations where multiple auto-injectorsare stored such as a nurses office in a school or a camp, thesubstantially larger size of the prior art compared with the existingcase, may limit the number of auto-injection devices held in onelocation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has been designed to solve the aboveand other problems occurring in the prior art, and an aspect of thepresent invention provides a transportable, surface-mounting system foran auto-injection case that enables a user to mount an auto-injectiondevice to be quickly located and accessed in times of need, which whenmounted, avoids many of the problems associated with carrying individualdevices, but still enables the user to easily transport theauto-injection device.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system thatenables the auto-injection device to be highly visible, therebysignificantly reducing the potential for an allergy sufferer or careprovider to not even recognize that an auto-injection device is present.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a portableapparatus is provided for temporarily mounting an auto-injector case toa surface, without concealing the auto-injector case. The apparatusincludes a backing, a holder for receiving and holding the auto-injectorcase, and a mounting strip fixed an exterior of the backing fortemporarily mounting the apparatus when the auto-injector case isreceived therein.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portableapparatus is provided for temporarily mounting an auto-injector case toa surface, without concealing the auto-injector case. The apparatusincludes a backing, a holder for receiving and holding the auto-injectorcase, and a mounting portion including a receiving slot for receivingthe backing in the receiving slot.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a portableauto-injector case is provided, which is temporarily mountable to asurface. The portable auto-injector case includes a casing forcompletely surrounding an auto-injector device, a backing, and amounting strip fixed an exterior of the backing for temporarily mountingthe auto-injector case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mounting strip for a surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a surface-mounting system with anauto-injector case received therein according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a surface-mounting system with anauto-injector case received therein according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case of FIG. 5 with an auto-injection casereceived therein;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case of FIG. 7 with an auto-injection casereceived therein;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another view of the transportable,surface-mounting system for an auto-injection case of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a transportable, surface-mountingsystem for an auto-injection case according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In thefollowing description of the present invention, the same drawingreference numerals are used for the same elements even in differentdrawings. Additionally, a detailed description of known functions andconfigurations incorporated herein will be omitted when such a detaileddescription may obscure the subject matter of the present invention.

An auto-injection device, such as the EpiPen 0 the injector sold by DEYL.P., is commonly sold inside a plastic cylinder case, which protectsthe auto-injection device, preserving its integrity for future use. Thiscase is usually a little larger in size than the auto-injector itself,in order to remain portable, and has nothing attached other thanbranding on the outside thereof. Therefore, while the case of theauto-injection device protects the auto-injection device and is of asize that it is portable, as indicated above, this case has no means formounting and often stored inside drawers, cabinets, bags, etc., makingit difficult to locate, when needed in an emergency situation.

The present invention provides a transportable, surface-mounting systemfor an auto-injection case that enables a user to mount anauto-injection device to be quickly located, easily identified, andaccessed in times of need, which when mounted, avoids many of theproblems associated with carrying individual devices, but still enablesthe user to easily transport the auto-injection device.

FIG. 1 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to an embodiment of the present invention.More specifically, FIG. 1, provide three different perspective views ofsurface-mounting system. That is, perspective (A) is a front view of thesurface-mounting system, perspective (B) is a side view of thesurface-mounting system, and perspective (C) is a back view of thesurface-mounting system.

Referring to FIG. 1, a transportable, surface-mounting system 100 for anauto-injection case according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes clip arms 101 that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, are shaped toreceive a cylindrical case. Further, the surface-mounting system 100includes a backing 102, which is attached perpendicularly to the cliparms 101, and a mounting strip 105, which is fixed to a back surface ofthe backing 102 and temporarily mounts the surface-mounting system 100to a surface, such as a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. Themounting is “temporary” in that it remains until the user chooses toeasily dismount surface-mounting system 100, thereby keeping itportable. The mounting strip 105 can be a magnet, Velcro tape,double-sided tape, suction cup(s), or a re-useable adhesive pad, such asthat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,073 to Hiscock et al. Thedetermination of the type of mounting strip 105 is preferably made basedupon the surface to which it will be mounted. For example, when mountingon a refrigerator door, the mounting strip 105 is preferably a magnet.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 2, according to another embodiment ofthe present invention, the mounting strip 105 includes multiple types ofmounts 201, 202, and 203. For example, mount 201 is magnet, mount 202 isa re-usable adhesive pad, and mount 203 is Velcro. Although FIG. 2illustrates 3 different mounts 201, 202, and 203 on the mounting strip105, this is done merely for description purposes, and in no way shouldlimit the present invention to 3 mounts, i.e., there may be fewer ormore than 3 mounts on the mounting strip 105.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the clip arms 101 receive the auto-injectorcase and provide enough inward force, such that the auto-injector caseheld in position therein. Preferably, the surface-mounting system 100 isdesigned such that the clip arms 101 hold the auto-injector case firmly,but such that the auto-injector case can still be removed from the cliparms 101, for example, in the case where a user would like to use thesurface-mounting system 100 for another auto-injector case.

Although the backing 102 and the mounting strip 105 illustrated in FIG.1 are substantially flat in order to be mounted to a substantially flatsurface, these components can also have a different shape depending onthe surface to which they are intended to mount to. For example, whenthe surface-mounting system 100 is designed to magnetically attach to around soccer goal post, then instead of being substantially flat, thebacking 102 and a mounting strip 105 should have a curve that closelymatches the roundness of the goal post, thereby enabling thesurface-mounting system 100 to be mounted thereto.

Additionally, although the embodiment illustrated FIG. 1 uses a singlepair of clip arms 101, it also possible to increase the number of clipsarms, where the only limiting factor would be the length of theauto-injector case to be held.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the surface-mounting system 100 of FIG. 1 withan auto-injector case received therein according to embodiments of thepresent invention. More specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates thesurface-mounting system 100 with an auto-injector case 300 receivedtherein. Further, FIG. 4 illustrates the surface-mounting system 100with an auto-injector case 400 received therein, wherein theauto-injector case 400 is designed such that the clip arms 101 rest in arecess 401, which improves over the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, byfurther preventing slipping of the auto-injector case 400 through theclips arms 101.

As described above, in relation to FIGS. 1-4, the surface-mountingsystem 100 of the present invention receives an auto-injector case 300(or 400) therein, and can be surface mounted to various surfaces,depending on the composition of the mounting strip 105. For example,assuming that the intended mounting location is a refrigerator door in akitchen, the mounting strip 105 would preferably be magnet, such thatthe surface-mounting system 100 with the auto-injector case 300 (or 400)received therein can be magnetically mounted to the refrigerator door,thereby being readily available and easily accessible in case of a foodallergy reaction.

Additionally, because the surface-mounting system 100 of the presentinvention receives the auto-injector case 300 (or 400) therein, withoutconcealing the auto-injector case 300 (or 400), this substantiallyminimizes the risk that an allergy sufferer or care provider does noteven recognize that an auto-injection device is present.

Further, as the surface-mounting system 100 of the present invention isrelative small in size and easily removable from a mounted surface, thepresent invention still retains the convenience for allergy sufferers tobe able to carry the auto-injection device with them. The portability isalso enhanced by the design of the backing 102, which, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, runs parallel to the auto-injector case 300 (or 400) andcan be used as a clip in order to clip the auto-injector case 300 (or400) onto pockets, purses, belts, etc.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 500, and FIG. 6 illustrates the transportable,surface-mounting system 500 for an auto-injection case 600.

Referring FIG. 5, the surface-mounting system 500 includes a backing502, which is attached perpendicularly to clip arms 501, and a mountingstrip 505, which is fixed to a back surface of the backing 502 andmounts the surface-mounting system 500 to a surface, such as arefrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The clip arms 501, the backing502, and the mounting strip 505 serve the same function as the clip arms101, the backing 102, and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mountingsystem 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of theseelements will not be given again in detail. However, thesurface-mounting system 500 further includes retaining straps 506 and507, which are attached to the clips arms 501, and as illustrated inFIG. 6, latch together to further strap the auto-injection case 600therein. The retaining straps 506 and 507 can be made of lightweightmetal or plastic, which preferably lock together when joined around theauto-injection case 600, thereby reinforcing the grip of the clips arms501 on the auto-injection case 600.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 7 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 700, and FIG. 8 illustrates the transportable,surface-mounting system 700 for an auto-injection case 800.

Referring FIG. 7, the surface-mounting system 700 includes a backing702, which is attached perpendicularly to clip arms 701, and a mountingstrip 705, which is fixed to a back surface of the backing 702 andmounts the surface-mounting system 700 to a surface, such as arefrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The clip arms 701, the backing702, and the mounting strip 705 serve the same function as the clip arms101, the backing 102, and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mountingsystem 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of theseelements will not be given again in detail. However, thesurface-mounting system 700 further includes tie straps 706 and 707,which are attached to the clips arms 701, and as illustrated in FIG. 8,tie together to further strap the auto-injection case 800 therein. Morespecifically, the tie straps 706 and 707, which are commonly made ofplastic, lock together when strap 706 is passed around theauto-injection case 600 into the locking mechanism of strap 707, therebyreinforcing the grip of the clips arms 701 on the auto-injection case800.

FIG. 9 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 901 for an auto-injection case 900.

Referring to FIG. 9, the surface-mounting system 901 includes a backing902 and a mounting strip 905, which is fixed to a back surface of thebacking 902 and mounts the surface-mounting system 901 to a surface,such as a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The backing 902 and themounting strip 905 serve the same function as the backing 102 and themounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system 100, as illustrated inFIG. 1. Therefore, a description of these elements will not be givenagain in detail. However, the surface-mounting system 901 furtherincludes a ring 904, which holds the auto-injection case 900 therein.More specifically, the ring 904, which can be made of plastic or metal,for example, holds the auto-injection case 900 into the surface-mountingsystem 901. The ring 904 can hold directly onto the outer surface of theauto-injection case 900 or preferably, can hold the auto-injection case900 in a recess, such as the recess 401 in FIG. 4, which furtherprevents slipping of the auto-injector case 900 through the ring 904.Additionally, although the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 uses asingle ring 904, it is also possible to increase the number of rings,where the only limiting factor would be the length of the auto-injectorcase to be held.

FIG. 10 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 10 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 1001 for an auto-injection case 1000.

Referring to FIG. 10, the surface-mounting system 1001 includes abacking 1002 and a mounting strip 1005, which is fixed to a back surfaceof the backing 1002 and mounts the surface-mounting system 1001 to asurface, such as a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The backing1002 and the mounting strip 1005 serve the same function as the backing102 and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of these elements willnot be given again in detail. However, the surface-mounting system 1001is further designed to be fixed directly to the auto-injection case1000. More specifically, the surface-mounting system 1001, which can bemade of plastic or metal, for example, can be attached to the surface ofthe auto-injection case 1000 or can be integrally formed with theauto-injection case 1000, for example, molded with the auto-injectioncase 1000.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a transportable, surface-mounting system foran auto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIGS. 11 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 1100 including a clip portion 1107 and amounting portion 1104.

Referring FIG. 11, the clip portion 1107 of the surface-mounting system1100 includes a backing 1102, which is attached perpendicularly to cliparms 1101, but does not include a mounting strip on a back surface ofthe backing 1102. Instead, the mounting portion 1104 of thesurface-mounting system 1100 includes a mounting strip 1105 on a backsurface thereof, and mounts the mounting portion 1104 of thesurface-mounting system 1100 to a surface, such as a refrigerator door,wall, or goal post. The clip arms 1101, the backing 1102, and themounting strip 1105 serve the same function as the clip arms 101, thebacking 102, and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of theseelements will not be given again in detail. However, for thesurface-mounting system 1100, the mounting portion 1104 of thesurface-mounting system 1100 is mounted to a surface using the mountingstrip 1105, includes a receiving slot 1106, which is designed such thatit receives the backing 1102 therein. Preferably the backing 1102 slidesinto set position in the mounting portion 1104, and can be slid out whendesired. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 12, when an auto-injectioncase is received in arms 1101 and the mounting portion 1104 of thesurface-mounting system 1100 is mounted to a surface using the mountingstrip 1105, the backing 1102 can be inserted into the receiving slot1106, thereby mounting the auto-injection case to the surface.

The mounting portion 1104 can mount to a surface using the mountingstrip 1105 as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, but can also be mountedusing any other more permanent method, such as by screwing, nailing,gluing, etc., as the backing 1102 can be easily removed from thereceiving slot 1106, thereby keeping the surface-mounting system 1100and the auto-injection case received therein, portable.

FIG. 13 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 13 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 1301 for an auto-injection case 1300.

Referring to FIG. 13, the surface-mounting system 1301 includes abacking 1302 and a mounting strip 1305, which is fixed to a back surfaceof the backing 1302 and mounts the surface-mounting system 1301 to asurface, such as a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The backing1302 and the mounting strip 1305 serve the same function as the backing102 and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of these elements willnot be given again in detail. However, the surface-mounting system 1301is further designed to include a cap piece 1306 for the auto-injectioncase 1300. More specifically, the surface-mounting system 1301, whichcan be made of plastic or metal, for example, can be snugly fit overeither end of the auto-injection case 1300.

FIG. 14 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 1401 for two auto-injection cases.

Referring to FIG. 14, a transportable, surface-mounting system 1400 foran auto-injection case according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes clip arms 1401 that, as illustrated in FIG. 14, areS-shaped, each to receive a cylindrical case. Further, thesurface-mounting system 1400 includes two backings 1402, which areattached perpendicularly to the clip arms 1401, and two mounting strips1405, which are fixed to a back surface of the backings 1402 andtemporarily mounts the surface-mounting system 1400 to a surface, suchas a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. Each of the backings 1402and the mounting strips 1405 serve the same function as the backing 102and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of these elements willnot be given again in detail. However, it is noted that each of mountingstrips 1405 may each be for mounting to a different type of surface. Forexample, one of the mounting strips 1405 may be magnet, while the otherof the mounting strips 1405 may be double-sided tape, making the firstof the mounting strips 1405 suitable for a metallic surface, and thesecond of the mounting strips 1405 suitable for a non-metallic surface.Further, each of the mounting strips 1405 may have multiple types ofmounts, as described above and illustrated in FIG. 2.

Additionally, although the transportable, surface-mounting system 1400of FIG. 14 includes two backings 1402, which are attachedperpendicularly to the clip arms 1401, the transportable,surface-mounting system 1400 may also have only single backing extendingfrom one of the clip arms 1401.

FIG. 15 illustrates a transportable, surface-mounting system for anauto-injection case according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. More specifically, FIG. 15 illustrates a transportable,surface-mounting system 1501 for two auto-injection cases.

Referring to FIG. 15, a transportable, surface-mounting system 1500 foran auto-injection case according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes clip arms 1501 that, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,are each shaped to receive a cylindrical case therein against a commoncenter arm 1503. Further, the surface-mounting system 1500 includes abacking 1502, which is attached perpendicularly to the clip arms 1501,and a mounting strip 1505, which is fixed to a back surface of thebacking 1502 and temporarily mounts the surface-mounting system 1500 toa surface, such as a refrigerator door, wall, or goal post. The backing1502 and the mounting strip 1505 serve the same function as the backing102 and the mounting strip 105 of the surface-mounting system 100, asillustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, a description of these elements willnot be given again in detail.

As described above, the present invention provides various embodimentsof a transportable, surface-mounting system for an auto-injection casethat enables a user to mount an auto-injection device to be quicklylocated, easily identified, and accessed in times of need, which whenmounted, avoids many of the problems associated with carrying individualdevices, but still enables the user to easily transport theauto-injection device.

Further, although the present invention is described in relation to anauto-injection device, it may also be applicable to similar shapeddevices that would benefit from being mounted in an area where a devicewould commonly be used.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A portable apparatus for temporarily mounting an auto-injector caseto a surface, without concealing the auto-injector case, comprising: abacking; a holder for receiving and holding the auto-injector case; anda mounting strip fixed an exterior of the backing for temporarilymounting the apparatus when the auto-injector case is received therein.2. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises apair clip arms that wrap a distance around the auto injector case. 3.The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a pairof clip arms for receiving the auto injector case.
 4. The portableapparatus of claim 3, wherein the holder further comprises a pair ofstraps, wherein each the straps extends from an end of each of the clipsarms and meet each other around the auto injector case.
 5. The portableapparatus of claim 4, wherein the pair of straps comprises a pair of tiestraps.
 6. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder holdsthe auto-injector case along a recessed area of the auto-injector case.7. The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises aring that wraps a complete distance around the auto injector case. 8.The portable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting strip comprisesat least one of a magnet, a re-usable adhesive pad, an adhesive pad,Velcro, and a suction cup.
 9. The portable apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe backing extends in a perpendicular direction from the holder and hasa shorter length than a length of the auto-injector case, therebyenabling the backing to be used as a clip when the apparatus is notmounted to the surface.
 10. A portable apparatus for temporarilymounting an auto-injector case to a surface, without concealing theauto-injector case, comprising: a backing; a holder for receiving andholding the auto-injector case; and a mounting portion including areceiving slot for receiving the backing in the receiving slot.
 11. Theportable apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a mounting stripfixed to an exterior of the mounting portion for mounting the mountingportion to the surface.
 12. The portable apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe mounting strip comprises at least one of a magnet, a re-usableadhesive pad, an adhesive pad, Velcro, and a suction cup.
 13. Theportable apparatus of claim 10, wherein the backing extends in aperpendicular direction from the holder and has a shorter length than alength of the auto-injector case, thereby enabling the backing to beused as a clip when the apparatus is not received in the receiving slotof the mounting portion.
 14. The portable apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe holder comprises a pair of clip arms that wrap a distance around theauto injector case.
 15. The portable apparatus of claim 10, wherein theholder comprises a pair of clip arms for receiving the auto injectorcase.
 16. The portable apparatus of claim 15, wherein the holder furthercomprises a pair of straps, wherein each the straps extends from an endof each of the clips arms and meet each other around the auto injectorcase.
 17. The portable apparatus of claim 16, wherein the pair of strapscomprises a pair of tie straps.
 18. The portable apparatus of claim 10,wherein the holder holds the auto-injector case along a recessed area ofthe auto-injector case.
 19. The portable apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe holder comprises a ring that wraps a complete distance around theauto injector case.
 20. A portable auto-injector case that istemporarily mountable to a surface, comprising: a casing for completelysurrounding an auto-injector device; a backing that runs parallel to thecasing; and a mounting strip fixed an exterior of the backing fortemporarily mounting the auto-injector case.